News

Reaping in Russia

November 9, 2011

In the dark days of Communist rule, many American church leaders said that the light of the gospel had been extinguished in the USSR. Even during that oppressive period, Christian Aid was in secret communications with hundreds of born again believers who were keeping alive the torch of Christian testimony in those closed countries.

And when the Soviet empire collapsed 20 years ago we moved quickly to get behind the native missionaries who immediately went to work, openly spreading the gospel of salvation among their people.

We joined forces with Slavik Radchuk and provided financial backing for huge evangelistic meetings in Ukraine, Russia and other former states of the USSR. During the past 20 years Slavik has conducted hundreds of campaigns, often attended by more than 10,000 people, and frequently meeting out of doors. Hundreds of thousands have turned to Christ and hundreds of new churches have been planted.

Christian Aid provides expenses for Slavik’s radio and television broadcasts that reach audiences of up to 100 million. He often receives more than 5000 letters per week from listeners asking for Bibles and literature. And while he travels from country to country he contacts and evaluates indigenous ministries to determine which should receive financial help from Christian Aid. Every part of the former USSR is thus being reached, including the Islamic countries of Central Asia and remotest regions of northern Siberia.